Expanded education resources now available to Independent Eye Care Providers: The “HOYA Learning Center”
April 12, 2013: HOYA Vision Care Announced the creation of the “HOYA Learning Center” with new positions added to support the growing needs of Independent Eye Care Professionals. Customer needs are ever evolving and the HOYA Learning Center at the outset will address four specific needs – technical & medical education, practice development, new media optics, and dispensing.
“Everyday I talk to our customers and I see the need to provide more specific expertise,” said Barney Dougher, President of HOYA Vision Care, NA., “For independent practices to be successful they need to have a ‘go-to’ person that can be a definitive resource. The technology combined with the business climate has gotten so complex the average practice can’t keep up. Regardless of your level of expertise in a particular area, HOYA is now the place you can turn to for the right answer.”
The mission for the HOYA Learning Center is to help Independent Eye Care Professionals of all experience levels have access to the information they need to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly shifting and ultra-competitive market.
Complimentary training will be available in multiple formats including, in-person, instructor-led webinars, and self-directed web-based training programs. Training can be customized to meet the needs of each practice and each individual so all can meet their respective goals.
Dr. Anne-Marie Lahr will be responsible for technical and medical education. Most recently Dr. Lahr held the position of Assistant Professor at Salus University and she has more than 18 years experience as an instructor in the field of optics. Dr. Lahr will be engaged in new product development and technical education. Her instruction will primarily be with doctors to help them understand the impact of HOYA technology on the improvement in optics of our lens designs, materials and treatments. She will also be responsible for conducting and managing all of HOYA’s patient case studies and white papers.
Dr. Gregory W. Hicks, partner in a successful three-location practice in Sandusky, OH, is the concierge of Professional Affairs. His perspective on practice development is an invaluable resource for practice owners looking to expand their thinking and make positive changes to their business model. Dr. Hicks is particularly passionate about improving capture rate and his candor when describing personal ups and downs of practice ownership, as well as his genuine passion for independent practice endear him to his colleagues.
Dr. Thomas Gosling, an independent practice owner in Littleton, CO, is responsible for New Media Optics. Dr. Gosling will be educating his peers on the advantages of taking and using personalized patient measurements. As a HOYA ambassador at trade shows and events Dr. Gosling will give demonstrations on proper and efficient techniques for using various measurement tools. In addition, Dr. Gosling will pilot and report on new lens products and treatments that impact patients and their use of new media.
Brad Main, Director of Training, will continue to be centered on working with opticians. His primary responsibility is dispensing education and all activities required of a licensed optical dispenser. Brad will conduct hands-on training, in office or off-site that includes topics such as, how to order, frame selection for the right lens, adjustments, fitting techniques, and general dispensing.
